7 ways to embrace, nay love, your single status this Valentine’s Day

It can be hard to be single when February comes around. All the shops are advertising their Valentine’s Day gift ideas, your coupled-up friends are constantly mulling over what they should buy their partner, and the number of heart-shaped items you come across are enough to make you want to gag.

Sure, every corner you turn seems to remind you of your relationship status but being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be as boring and depressing as you think. Use this day to appreciate your loved ones and give a little love to the most special person in your life – you. Just because you don’t have a ‘plus one’ doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on V Day; here are seven ideas to try.

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ALSO READ: SINGLE THIS V-DAY? HERE’S 10 TIPS TO TO HELP YOU FIND TRUE LOVE IN 2018

Make this day all about YOU. Never forget that you’re special too and that you should love yourself before you even consider falling in love with someone else. So book an appointment at the spa or indulge in whatever makes you happy. It could be finally popping the cork off that expensive bottle of wine or even just treating yourself to your favourite ice-cream that’s usually only meant for cheat days.

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ALSO READ: SINGLE THIS V-DAY? HERE’S 10 TIPS TO TO HELP YOU FIND TRUE LOVE IN 2018

What’s better than celebrating your singlehood alone? Doing it with a bunch of friends, of course! Plan a party at your place or a night out at your favourite bar and have an enjoyable night together. Why not sing your hearts out at a karaoke joint or have a games night with some celebratory bubbly thrown in?

Let your hair down, have a laugh and enjoy the night without even thinking about the fact that you’re single. Because, at the end of the day, your happiness is way more important than your relationship status.

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ALSO READ: SINGLE THIS V-DAY? HERE’S 10 TIPS TO TO HELP YOU FIND TRUE LOVE IN 2018

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for lovers, you can use this occasion to tell anyone close to you how special they are to you too. Take your parents out for a meal (or cook them one) or spend the evening with your nieces/nephews (if you have any) and spoil them with with some major ‘cool aunt’ love.

It doesn’t have to be family, it could be that nice neighbour who always bakes you cakes or that family friend you’ve known all your life who never fails to offer her listening ear. Make plans with them or just buy them a gift to show how much you appreciate them.

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Don’t just sit at home and wallow in self-pity, take the opportunity to do something you’ve never done before. It could be anything from trying that new deep-fried chicken place everyone’s been talking about or doing a bungee jump. Or why not book that solo holiday you’ve been thinking about for ages? Do something that makes you happy.

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ALSO READ: SINGLE THIS V-DAY? HERE’S 10 TIPS TO TO HELP YOU FIND TRUE LOVE IN 2018

Just because you’re not coupled up doesn’t mean you have nothing to be thankful for. Make a ‘gratitude list’ and write down all the things that you appreciate in your life. It doesn’t have to be tangible things either; you should also be content that you have your health, a network of friends and family that care about you, or a career that’s heading in the right direction. It could also be the ideal time to jot down your goals and assess how far you’ve progressed in the past year or two.  

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ALSO READ: 5 DATING MISTAKES SINGLES MAKE ACCORDING TO DATING COACHES

Stay in and enjoy a movie night, watching and eating whatever you want. Look at it this way, you won’t have to fight for control of the remote or sit through a boring dude movie. Cry your eyes out at The Notebook or drool over your popcorn as you watch Channing Tatum et al strut their stuff in Magic Mike. Or just watch a dude movie, we won’t judge. If you fancy some company, ask a friend or two over and turn it into a movie-themed party – or even a fun sleepover!

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ALSO READ: 5 DATING MISTAKES SINGLES MAKE ACCORDING TO DATING COACHES

Forget the commercialisation of love on Valentine’s Day, show your compassion for others instead by doing a good deed. Sign up to volunteer at a children’s or old folks’ home, or spend a few hours helping the needy. There are loads of charity organisations you can offer your time to so have a look online and see which cause touches you the most.

If you don’t have time to get organised, you can still do something small like drop off your used clothes or donate some food items to a charity. It will distract you from all the lovey dovey stuff going on around you and will also make you feel good about yourself, while helping others too.

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ALSO READ: 5 DATING MISTAKES SINGLES MAKE ACCORDING TO DATING COACHES